How to Answer: An often difficult part about working for Grant Thornton and our clients is the need to be fluent and adaptable to the cultures of our clients. Why would you say that you'd be able to handle this aspect of the job with ease?
Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Grant Thornton job interview.
5. An often difficult part about working for Grant Thornton and our clients is the need to be fluent and adaptable to the cultures of our clients. Why would you say that you'd be able to handle this aspect of the job with ease?
How to Answer
In the business consulting world, organizations work with clients that all have different backgrounds, leadership styles, cultures, industries and motivating factors. Consultants hired to come in to these organizations have to possess a chameleon-like ability to ingrain themselves in a new company's culture. For you to be successful in the role that you are interviewing for, you must possess this same ability. In your answer to this question, be sure to point out your fluidity to adapt to new situation in your work by giving an example or two of a time you had to do this to give your interviewer a sense of your ability to be flexible with clients.
Written by Ryan Brunner on September 27th, 2019
1st Answer Example
"During my career to this point, I've been very fortunate to say that I've worked for one employer for over ten years and the experience that I've gained with them is a huge asset to me personally. But even though all of my relevant work experience is with the same employer, I've worked under six different department managers during my time there and each person had their own unique management style and expectations of me. As well, my organization has undergone three mergers in my time there and each merger brought a new and bigger organization to light with new values and culture. Whether it was a manager change or an organization change, I always prioritized openness and asking questions to get to know new processes better. I would bring this approach with each and every new client that I would work with in this role."
Written by Ryan Brunner on September 27th, 2019
2nd Answer Example
"I would liken this role as a Client Manager to working with my customers in my current job. I approach each new customer with an open slated mind while getting to know their motivations, their needs and their expectations of me to help me get a better understanding of how I can best suit them. If hired for this position working with your clients here at Grant Thornton, this approach would be vital because of the variety of businesses and industries that I would be working with."
Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback
Anonymous Answer
1) I can accurately guess the level of directness one can use with a client. Coming from a multi-culture background and having operated professionally across multiple continents, I have a gauge for what form of respect is best demonstrated. In the US, the greatest respect is often clear, precise, and straightforward communication (said respectfully and with consideration). In many foreign engagements, one has to be able to satisfy the aforementioned but do so while respecting role and title a bit more. For example, outlining points (particularly in regards to improvements that can be made) with data and statistics in the United States is considered an excellent way to take opinions out of the conversation, whereas overseas it, may be viewed as diminishing and unnecessarily pushing a negative point.
2. I believe that a key characteristic of a leader is the ability to make quick assessments and leverage those into action. I strongly believe that making these quick assessments requires a combination of experience and study, and my exposure to a broad range of industries, their business models, and their data combined with the ability to dive into a company and its industry allow me to have the mental agility required to make an assessment and act upon it."
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